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Tropical animal health and production2021; 53(3); 338; doi: 10.1007/s11250-021-02737-9

Seroprevalence of Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and Trichinella spp. infections in horses and donkeys from Nigeria, West Africa.

Abstract: The protozoan parasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, transmitted by ticks, cause equine piroplasmosis, the most prevalent tick-borne disease in equids. Trichinellosis is a worldwide food-borne zoonosis caused by helminth Trichinella spp. that can lead to serious disease in humans, with fatal outcome. Although the infection is rare in horses, it deserves attention due to the increasing use of horse meat as a source of protein for humans. Horse trichinellosis is caused by several Trichinella species, most commonly by T. spiralis. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of antibodies to T. equi, B. caballi and Trichinella spp. in equids from three states of Northern Nigeria. Serum samples were collected from 139 clinically healthy animals, comprising 115 horses and 24 donkeys. Antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi were detected in serum by competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) and antibodies to Trichinella spp. by ELISA. Antibodies to T. equi were detected in 34% of equids (41% horses and 0% donkeys), antibodies to B. caballi in 9% of equids (8% horses and 13% donkeys), and antibodies to Trichinella spp. in 4% of equids (4% horses and 0% donkeys). There was co-infection of T. equi and B. caballi in 1% of horses and co-infection of T. equi and Trichinella spp. in 2.6% of horses. This is the first report on seroprevalence of Trichinella spp. in equids from Northern Nigeria.
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Publication Date: 2021-05-24 PubMed ID: 34031761PubMed Central: 4013976DOI: 10.1007/s11250-021-02737-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article outlines a study on the prevalence of specific parasitic infections in horses and donkeys in Northern Nigeria. It focuses on the pathogens Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and Trichinella spp., seeking to understand the infection rates amongst a sampled population of equine animals.

Background

  • The research focuses on three specific pathogens that cause disease in horses and donkeys. Theileria equi and Babesia caballi are protozoan parasites, transmitted by ticks. They cause equine piroplasmosis, which is a prevalent tick-borne disease in horses and donkeys.
  • Trichinella spp. is a type of helminth (a group of parasitic worms) that causes trichinellosis in various mammals. Even though infection is rare in horses, it’s notably important as horse meat is often a source of protein for humans, and ingestion of infected meat can lead to severe or even fatal outcomes for people.
  • Understanding the prevalence of these infections in horses and donkeys can aid in the prevention and treatment of the diseases they cause.

Methods

  • The research sample consisted of 139 animals from Northern Nigeria, 115 horses, and 24 donkeys. All of these animals appeared to be clinically healthy.
  • Serum samples were collected from the equids and tested for antibodies against the three pathogens. The presence of antibodies would indicate a previous or current infection.
  • Competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) was used to detect antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi, and ELISA was used for Trichinella spp.

Results

  • The study found that 34% of equids were detected with antibodies for T. equi (41% horses, 0% donkeys), indicating a high rate of exposure or infection for this pathogen.
  • B. caballi antibodies were found in 9% of equids (8% horses and 13% donkeys). This indicates a lower, but still consequential, exposure to this parasite.
  • Trichinella spp. antibodies were found in a small percentage, 4%, of the total equid population (4% horses, 0% donkeys).
  • The study also noted instances of co-infection: 1% of horses had both T. equi and B. caballi, and 2.6% had T. equi and Trichinella spp.

Significance

  • This study is the first report on the seroprevalence (the level of a pathogen in a population, as measured in blood serum) of Trichinella spp. in equids from Northern Nigeria.
  • The data obtained provides valuable insight into the prevalence of these infections among equine species in the region. This knowledge may be used to develop strategies to prevent and control these parasitic infections, improving the health of equine populations and reducing potential risks to human health.

Cite This Article

APA
Kamani J, Bártová E, Kašpárková N, Mohammed SJ, Budíková M, Sedlák K. (2021). Seroprevalence of Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and Trichinella spp. infections in horses and donkeys from Nigeria, West Africa. Trop Anim Health Prod, 53(3), 338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-021-02737-9

Publication

Tropical animal health and production
ISSN: 1573-7438
NlmUniqueID: 1277355
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 3
Pages: 338

Researcher Affiliations

Kamani, Joshua
  • Parasitology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute, P.M.B 01, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Bártová, Eva
  • Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 61242, Brno, Czech Republic. bartovae@vfu.cz.
Kašpárková, Nikola
  • Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 61242, Brno, Czech Republic.
Mohammed, Samaila J
  • Parasitology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute, P.M.B 01, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Budíková, Marie
  • Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 267/2, 61137, Brno, Czech Republic.
Sedlák, Kamil
  • State Veterinary Institute Prague, Sídlištní 136/24, 165 03, Prague 6, Czech Republic.

MeSH Terms

  • Africa, Western
  • Animals
  • Babesia
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases
  • Equidae
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Nigeria / epidemiology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Theileria
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
  • Trichinella
  • Trichinellosis / epidemiology
  • Trichinellosis / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • FVHE/u0160iroku00fd/ITA2021 / Veterinu00e1rnu00ed a Farmaceuticku00e1 Univerzita Brno

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
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  2. Cui Y, Cao M, Yu F, Zhao A, Tao D, Zhu T, Zhang Z, Qi M. Molecular detection of piroplasms in domestic donkeys in Xinjiang, China. Vet Med Sci 2024 Jul;10(4):e1468.
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  3. Diarra AZ, Kelly P, Davoust B, Parola P. Tick-Borne Diseases of Humans and Animals in West Africa. Pathogens 2023 Oct 24;12(11).
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